SPORTS Five of the best marinas in the world in France and Italy

AL MARE

Five of the best marinas in the world to dock your boat and enjoy the European summer

BY: CLAUDIO GUES | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF PORT VAUBAN | MARINA GRANDE | MARINA DE PORTO CERVO | PORT DE SAINT-TROPEZ | MARINA PORTOFINO

On Côte d’Azur, in France or on the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Genova, in Italy. Have you decided where to spend your summer holidays in Europe? We’ve selected the five best marinas in these two countries for those who need to feel the ocean breeze aboard a yacht, with all its comfort, or a sailboat for those who enjoy an adventure.

MARINA DI PORTOFINO | GENOA Marina di Portofino has two piers on the Ligurian sea: the Umberto I pier, capable of accommodating super yachts measuring from, 6/7 to 60 meter, while the second is equipped with eight berths. In addition, there are two berths in the bay of Cannone for mega yachts. This fragmentation makes the marina an integral part of the village of Portofino, which preserves its original architecture. The city has only 420 inhabitants, most of whom work in the marina or in tourist assistance services. A paradise for those who seek convenience and lots of perks.

marinadiportofino.com

PORT VAUBAN | ANTIBES In Antibes, in Cotê d’Azur, a marina of contrasts, which harbors behind the 16th century walls, called ‘Les Remparts’, a variety of boats, yachts and mega yachts with contemporary or classic designs from the boating industry. The Port Vauban marina is currently the home of Yacht Club d’Antibes, with capacity for 1,642 boats and is considered the largest marina in the Mediterranean Sea in terms of total tonnage of boats and yachts moored. Some of the largest and most luxurious yachts in the world have Port Vauban as their home port.

marina-port-vauban.com

MARINA DI PORTO CERVO | SARDENHA At the foot of Monte Solero, north of the island of Capri, on the Amalfi Coast, Marina Grande is the point of arrival for all ferries and hydrofoils in the region and, of course, a marina for luxury yachts, with up to 60m in length. It has the capacity to moor 300 vessels. During the peak season months in the European summer, the marina is busy, but offers all the services necessary for refueling and repairs. Making a reservation is recommended.

capri.net/em/s/marina-grande-2

PORT DE SAINT-TROPEZ | SAINT-TROPEZ With two basins covering an area of 9 hectares, the marina of Port de Saint-Tropez, in Cotê d’Azur, has 734 berths and, given its scale, is considered one of the largest connection hubs in the Mediterranean Sea. Approximately 40 employees are available to welcome visitors, whether on board or ashore, to organize the moorings and ensure safety. The marina offers, in real time, weather forecasts for Saint-Tropez and Cannes. At the marina, visitors can rent electric cars for tours or organize parties on the ‘La Batterie’ deck for up to 200 people.

portsainttropez.com

MARINA DI PORTOFINO|GÊNOVA Marina di Portofino has two piers on the Ligurian sea: the Umberto I pier, capable of accommodating super yachts measuring from, 6/7 to 60 meter, while the second is equipped with eight berths. In addition, there are two berths in the bay of Cannone for mega yachts. This fragmentation makes the marina an integral part of the village of Portofino, which preserves its original architecture. The city has only 420 inhabitants, most of whom work in the marina or in tourist assistance services. A paradise for those who seek convenience and lots of perks.

DELISH

Negroni turned 100, but it’s still invigorated by mixologists who add a special flavor to the drink

POR: LUIZ CLAUDIO RODRIGUES | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF VIRGA GIN | 1930 COCKTAIL BAR

Who would have thought that the Negroni—the drink that has become trendy worldwide in recent years—has turned 100? The centennial drink was born in Florence, at the Cassoni bar and was created by a barman called Fosco Scarcelli, says drinks consultant Alessandra Forma: “We can say that the origin of Negroni dates back to the year 1860, but its current composition appeared only in 1919. In the 17th century, Americans who visited Italy liked an Italian cocktail called Torino Milano, prepared with Campari, from Milan; and Amaro, produced in Turin. Then, an American asked the barman to add club soda, and the name Torino Milano, with the addition of the new beverage, changed to Americano. They wanted a lighter, bubblier flavor, and Americano became a success.” The story goes that Baron Camillo Negroni, a regular at the Cassoni bar, ordered an Americano with a bigger punch. Club soda was replaced with gin. With this new composition, the drink gained more power, became more fullbodied and was named Negroni after the Baron.

We can say that the origin of Negroni dates back to the year 1860, but its current composition appeared only in 1919.

Alessandra explains that the classic recipe of the drink takes three equal parts of gin, Campari and red vermouth, and can have 30ml or 50ml servings. And the glass is usually decorated with a thin slice or peels of Navel orange. According to Alessandra, bartenders nowadays usually give the Negroni their personal touch, an individual creation, according to the taste of the customer who asks for something different. A personalized twist by bartenders who are renovating the art of cocktails in several bars in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. “There are several infusions that can be added to give Negroni a touch. Infusions are made with vodka—because it is a neutral drink— with dark chocolate, orange, rosemary, strawberry, coffee, vanilla, etc. The infusion time can be from one week to one month, the longer the period, the more pronounced the flavor. This infusion is subtly sprayed over the glass of the drink to give it a special, unique flavor,” says the specialist. For those who want to taste fabulous Negronis, Alessandra recommends the bars SubAstor, Guilhotina and Picco, in São Paulo. In Rio, she recommends Liz Cocktail & Co, Garoa Bar and Spirit Copa Bar, at the Fairmont hotel, in Copacabana.

BRAZILIAN CRAFT GINS

One of the traditional Negroni ingredients, gin, is now produced in Brazil and stands out here and in the world, having even been awarded by specialized critics in Europe. Virga, which was created in 2016, was the first craft gin in Brazil. The innovation was to include in the preparation of the drink, 10% cachaça and pacová, a Brazilian seed that resembles ginger. The Amázzoni gin was awarded in London in 2018 in the global competition ‘World Gin Awards’ in the ‘Craft Producer of the Year’ category. In addition to these, we have the Jungle, produced by partners André Clemente and Ricardo Castilho. In addition to these three, which can be considered Premium, currently we have nearly 50 Brazilian gin labels. And a curiosity: Pirassununga, a city upstate São Paulo, stands out as an important hub, due to its traditional cachaça distilleries that gave way to produce gin.

1930 COCKTAIL BAR

There is a place only cocktail insiders and famous mixologists from all over the world know about: the 1930 Cocktail Bar, in Milan. Like a secret society, only people who are personally invited can visit. It is a secret bar, which offers Negroni—with exclusive mixology—in its drinks chart. Flavio Angiolilo and Marco Russo’s bar has an intimate, elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. A place for bohemians who are handpicked to spend an evening, welcomed on old sofas, with music and warmth. A tip from Alessandra Forma. And if you are in Milan and have a very remote chance of being invited, don’t hesitate: the experience is worth the evening.

Sources: MiMag, Blue Blazer and Flawless Milano